In the late 1840s, Cole’s earlier interest in dramatic effects was replaced by his desire to represent nature in repose. “In the pure blue sky is the highest sublime,” he wrote. “There is the illimitable.” He was the first to depict this section of the Genesee River, which flows north through New York State. Cole combined carefully drawn sketches to construct a composite, framed viewpoint from high above the footbridge and mill, relying on precise drawings of trees and color notes on rusted minerals to assure truthfulness in the details.

Museum of Art, Rhode Island School of Design. “Selection VII”. Providence: Museum of Art, Rhode Island School of Design,1977.